“Marvelous. Shall we?” Nile bent his elbow for me to take.
I pressed my lips together and glanced over my shoulder at Noah, who was shaking his head and smiling. I took Nile’s arm. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Now tell me all there is to know about Ms. Ruby Dawson.” He patted my hand sweetly and led me down the long hall.
“There’s really not a lot to know. I’m just a country girl from a Podunk town in Mississippi.”
“Mississippi… I don’t know that I’ve ever visited that state before.” He lifted his chin as though thinking back .
“Well, you haven’t missed much.”
Thankfully, the host approached our group of three and promptly steered us through the fanciest restaurant I’d ever been in.
Before I could so much as touch the back of the chair I was led to, Nile pulled it out on my behalf.
“Um, thank you. That was super nice,” I said and took my seat.
“A gentleman always holds the chair out for a lady,” he said with a half bow.
I looked down at my plate and silverware. There were so many utensils—not just a fork, knife and a spoon. The setting before me had three forks, two spoons, and two knives. Not to mention the three empty glasses sitting in front of each person. I bit into my bottom lip, wondering why there were so many of each item when one would do.
Noah, who sat on my right, leaned over. “Spirits, love?”
It took me a second to figure out he meant alcohol. I was definitely on board for that. “Yes, please. I think I’m going to need it.”
Right after we sat, I watched stunned as a server grabbed the napkin on his plate and placed it on his lap. For him. The server repeated the process with me and Nile. No one said a thing, acting like it was perfectly normal. I’d never heard of a person placing a napkin on someone else’s lap. Very strange.
Within no time at all, two of three glasses in front of us were filled with water and red wine. Nile had spent some time discussing the wine extensively with a well-dressed man that had the title “sommelier.” This person apparently did nothing but talk about wine, serve it, and suggest what to eat with it, as though the wine was the main feature, not the steak. Personally, I found it all really weird. Why would you need a guy for that? I’d just taste it and see if I liked it.
I stayed quiet while Nile did his thing and Noah offered to order for me. I agreed and watched the two interact, sipping wine as I did so. The second the wine was even an inch farther down the glass, one of the servers was filling it back up. That part was cool.
Finally, our plates were delivered, and I waited with my mouth salivating until I noted which knife and fork the twins picked up.
Noah gamely pointed to the sharpest knife that was closest to the plate, and the fork with the longest tines. He waggled his brows, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“What’s so funny?” Nile asked, cutting into his steak and plopping it into his mouth.
“Nothing. So, where do you guys plan on, um, keeping me in London when we get there?” I asked, genuinely curious. I was putting my life in their hands, literally and physically. Thankfully, Madam Alana’s company was strict and detailed. I knew I’d be safe, but I also feared leaving the States and being too far away from Opal.
“I think the Pennington Estate in Oxshott would be most fitting. Noah?”
He sighed. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been there.” His tone was somber and held a tinge of sorrow.
“Yes, but we both have quarters, and plenty of room for Ruby to roam around and get settled in a new country. Besides, the staff will be there to take care of everything.”
“Including the governess.” Noah grinned wickedly.
Governess? Was that what they called the governor’s wife? Maybe their family was in politics?
“Exactly my point. She’ll ensure our dear Ruby is trained in the art of being exactly what a Pennington wife should be. Poised. Educated.”
“Educated? Like school?” I scrunched up my nose. I’d hated every second of being in school growing up.
Nile sipped his red wine and leaned back against the plush velvet seatback. He swirled the burgundy liquid around and around.
“I understand from your portfolio that you’ve completed your education through the American grade twelve?” Nile asked.
“Um, that’s right.”
“And I’m sure you understand that in order to be a Pennington wife, that title will come with some requirements. Such as attending events, throwing parties, participating in women’s activities that relate to our business and/or philanthropic interests.”
“Phil-an-thropic,” I repeated, not having any clue what that word meant.
“Charitable interests,” Nile clarified.
“Oh! Like you donate stuff? I’ve hosted a garage sale recently. Well, it was more of a lawn sale in front of the community center. But I set out a bunch of tables with tons of donated items and raised money for the local homeless shelter. It did pretty well, and I had fun. I could totally do that.”
Noah had his glass up in front of his face while he chuckled into his hand.
“Like. Stuff. Totally. Garage sale?” Nile scowled as if those words were poison on his tongue. “Ms. Dawson, I’m afraid you are in desperate need of etiquette training.”
“I don’t know what that means.” I clutched my wine glass like a life preserver, curling both of my suddenly shaky hands around the bulbous end.
“I quite like Ruby just the way she is. You never know what wonderfully interesting things are going to come out of her mouth.” Noah shrugged. “Why mess with perfection? She doesn’t need your stodgy etiquette training. Just leave the girl alone.”
Nile’s gaze shot to Noah’s. “You expect to bring her into our world without any formal training? Just toss her out into a den of vipers and expect her to come out unscathed? I would have thought better of you, brother.”
I sat up straight, needing to salvage this evening. I couldn’t have one of the brothers thinking I wasn’t good enough. I’d do what was requested, gladly, in order to ensure this gig happened. I needed that money. My future and that of my sister depended on one of these men marrying me.
“I’ll do the training. Whatever you need. I want to be a good wife. If you need me to speak and act a certain way, so I don’t embarrass either of you, it’s no skin off my nose. Point me in the right direction, and I’ll make it happen. I’m a fast learner.”
Noah smirked. “I’m sure you are.”
“Stupendous. I’ll call the governess and let her know when to expect us.” Nile smiled and lifted his glass seemingly very happy with the outcome of my agreement to undergo this etiquette training with someone called the governess.
“Well, I’m looking forward to meeting this governess person.” I smiled and took a healthy swig of the best wine I’d ever had, finishing what was left in my glass before setting it back down. “I hope she likes me,” I shared, starting to feel more lighthearted.
“Oh, she’s going to hate you,” Noah responded, on a chuckle.